Mikey Musumeci has ruled over the ONE Championship flyweight division since arriving on the scene. He has also stepped out to defeat MMA stars like Jarred Brooks and Shinya Aoki. However, at ONE 168: Denver on Friday, September 6, he moves up three weight divisions to challenge Kade Ruotolo for the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title.
The incredible challenge has Musumeci excited. The match is also something “Darth Rigatoni” is confident in doing. As an ultra-aggressive grappler, the American submission star expects an all-out war inside the Ball Arena.
“I’m never just defending. I’m just forward every second. I’m literally the Rodtang of jiu-jitsu. But that’s my style. I’m literally going for the finish every second. Yes, I am a butt-scooter. Like, I do pull guard, but I’m forward every second looking to sub the person. And Kade is the same way, but on top. He’s always looking to sub the person from top. So you have two guys that are looking to sub each other that are always forward in this match. Isn’t that the most exciting match, then,” Musumeci told ONE.
Musumeci was clear that he respected the Ruotolo brothers. Regardless, he will not let his personal feelings get in the way of the task at hand. While keeping his game plan close to his chest, Musumeci revealed he is already thinking of every possible outcome.
“That’s one thing I’ll give away. Every exchange I do with Kade, I already have in my mind every possibility of how Kade could counter-attack me. So there’s nothing unexpected. And I’m gonna choose the exchanges that we do very wisely. That’s all I’ll say. Because, again, they’re so dangerous with their counters, and that’s why I have 1 million moves,” the flyweight king revealed.
Ruotolo has been impeccable in the past few years. Not only has he captured the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Championship, but he has debuted in MMA successfully and recently won the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. That is why “Darth Rigatoni” is putting every ounce of energy into preparing for the title tilt.
“My whole game is attacking. Like, I don’t know how not to attack. So I’m still planning to attack. I’m gonna go for the kill with Kade every second. It’s scary. It’s crazy. But like I told you, I have to choose every sequence very wisely. And that’s up to me in my training right now to see, like, can I get countered here with a flying armbar, with a D’arce choke, with a flying something? That’s how the Ruotolos are. And, I think that this match, and Chatri [Sityodtong] said it too, is gonna be the most watched match in jiu-jitsu history and probably the most exciting match in jiu-jitsu history because of that thing,” the BJJ ace remarked.
Jiu-jitsu has always been predicated on leveling the playing field between weights. That is why the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion is excited to showcase his skills in this contest. It is a platform to show the beauty of the sport between two of the best pound-for-pound stars going today.
“I’m the best in the world at 135. And Kade’s the dominant best in the world at 170. He’s been dominating everyone at 170. In any other sport, because it’s standing, like wrestling, striking, it would be impossible for this scenario to happen. It would just be zero chance. But because we’re in jiu-jitsu, a guy can go three weight classes up, David versus Goliath, and fight the heavier person. And, again, like I keep saying, there is a chance I can win. There’s a chance that the little guy could beat the big guy. So I think that’s what’s beautiful about jiu-jitsu,” Musumeci said.
Already at the top of his field, Musumeci is happy that he is being afforded the opportunity to chase new challenges. His growth mindset has allowed him to become one of the sport’s biggest stars. At ONE 168: Denver, win or lose, Musumeci is out to deliver an unforgettable display of what makes BJJ amazing.
“What makes me excited is to keep growing. That’s what makes me excited, to keep training and learning. Fighting the same people in your weight class for, like, 10 years, that is not exciting to me. It’s a waste of time. But for me to do this heavy division where there’s so much doubt – can I do it? That’s what I love – the uncertainty and doubt and pushing myself and dropping my ego. Can I do this? I don’t know. We’ll see. But if I do it, amazing. I make history. If I can’t, awesome. I get back up and I get better and I learn from it, and I go on to the next one,” Musumeci stated.
ONE 168: Denver airs live on Prime Video on Friday, September 6. The event is free for all Amazon Prime members beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Remaining tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
